[raspberrytorte]

I applied for SSDI in July.

Every time I go online to check the status of my application it says that a medical decision has been made but that it's in processing.

It's been in this processing review thing since October!

When I called they told me I should be getting an answer by the 20th of this month.

When applying, has anyone else had a similar thing happen?

It's driving me crazy! I need an answer NOW!!!

Why is it taking so long?!

My assumption is that since it took only three months for them to come up with a decision it's been denied. Why can't they just tell me so I can move on to the next step?! I need to get this by July or I'm going to be stuck living with my in-laws for potentially another YEAR. Not good.

[JustJace2u]

I've never applied for SSDI, but my mom who is a legal aid attorney and specializes in welfare and disability law says that some of her clients have waited upwards of a year to a year and a half before they got any decision.

[raspberrytorte]

Originally Posted by JustJace2u

I've never applied for SSDI, but my mom who is a legal aid attorney and specializes in welfare and disability law says that some of her clients have waited upwards of a year to a year and a half before they got any decision.

Great. That's unfortunate.

[raspberrytorte]

I swear, if I'm stuck in this they-made-a-decision-but-it's-in-processing situation much longer I'm going to explode.

[raspberrytorte]

Was that even after they'd made a decision?

[Victoria'smom]

Hopefully the decision comes tomorrow and your approved.

[JustJace2u]

Originally Posted by raspberrytorte

Was that even after they'd made a decision?

That part I'm not sure on, but I do know that Social Security is definitely in no hurry to give out benefits

[raspberrytorte]

Thanks, miguel. I'm at the point where I just need to know for sure if I've been denied so I can do something about it.

[raspberrytorte]

Originally Posted by JustJace2u

That part I'm not sure on, but I do know that Social Security is definitely in no hurry to give out benefits

Thanks, jace.

I don't understand why they've been reviewing me so long if I've been denied. Why couldn't they just deny me?!

[Misssy2]

raspberry...did you sign up for myssa?
It is your personal social security account..not the online thing that you check your application status.

Your SSA account will have a verification letter in there if you are approved.
If you were denied...it will say "you are currently not receiving benefits"

[Misssy2]

https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/

[JustJace2u]

Originally Posted by raspberrytorte

Thanks, jace.

I don't understand why they've been reviewing me so long if I've been denied. Why couldn't they just deny me?!

I'll see if my mom has any thoughts tomorrow when I talk to her again.

[leejosepho]

If you are denied the first time, and I was, I believe you have ninety (90) days to request an appeal hearing...and then the appeal being made (by an attorney on your behalf and with you present) will need to include some new or additional documentation of disability. As I recall, I had my appeal hearing within a couple of months following my appeal request, and then the judge made her decision right there in the courtroom. More typically, however, I think appeal decisions are made and reported later about like you are waiting right now.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Originally Posted by Misssy2

https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/

I don't think that shows up until you are notified. I was notified via phone before they even sent a letter out. I don't know if that's just how my state/county did it though. I also didn't know of any way to check status of the application online though so things have probably changed in 5 years.

I'm sorry they are keeping you in such suspense. That would be killing me.

[raspberrytorte]

Originally Posted by Misssy2

raspberry...did you sign up for myssa?
It is your personal social security account..not the online thing that you check your application status.

Your SSA account will have a verification letter in there if you are approved.
If you were denied...it will say "you are currently not receiving benefits"

I have that account.

It says im currently not receiving benefits.

This means I've already been denied? Even if my application is still being processed?

[Misssy2]

ugh...I think it does mean that you have been denied...was this your initial application? I thought it would be weird to have been approved if you applied THIS July.

It took 2.5 years for me to be approved. I had documentation that seemed overwhelming to me for physical and mental and I was denied at initial application (it took 9 months)...and I was devestated...but someone told me that something like 90% get denied at this stage. And I filed for Reconsideration..the 2nd stage (not all states have this stage)...and I thought I would get denied then too because the percentage is supposed to be higher for denial.

I got a lawyer from the begining...I was approved at Reconsideration BUT that stage took 11 months! The SSDI process is H*LL....and IF you are denied...do not give up...if you have a reconsideration step in your state....apply for it....and get a lawyer....learn about the DSM....take your conditions and look at what you have to meet in the DSM to be approved for SSDI....AND your age and education and experience all matter too..

If you go to Reconsideration..you will notice on your SSA account it will say something different again....information not available or something like that...and then that will change again in the future when a decision is made.
Hope that helps

[Misssy2]

And I hope I'm wrong...but my lawyer told me I was approved and the day she found out I was approved my account was updated with the verification letter that day..so if they told you tommorow then check tommorow but the only one I heard of being approved so quickly was my sponser who had a terminal illness...and she never lived to collect her first check.

[leejosepho]

Here is some more to read that might help a bit: http://forums.psychcentral.com/depre...isability.html

[BeyondtheRainbow]

It can happen quickly. I was approved in 11 weeks.

Originally Posted by Misssy2

And I hope I'm wrong...but my lawyer told me I was approved and the day she found out I was approved my account was updated with the verification letter that day..so if they told you tommorow then check tommorow but the only one I heard of being approved so quickly was my sponser who had a terminal illness...and she never lived to collect her first check.

[raspberrytorte]

Originally Posted by Misssy2

ugh...I think it does mean that you have been denied...was this your initial application? I thought it would be weird to have been approved if you applied THIS July.

It took 2.5 years for me to be approved. I had documentation that seemed overwhelming to me for physical and mental and I was denied at initial application (it took 9 months)...and I was devestated...but someone told me that something like 90% get denied at this stage. And I filed for Reconsideration..the 2nd stage (not all states have this stage)...and I thought I would get denied then too because the percentage is supposed to be higher for denial.

I got a lawyer from the begining...I was approved at Reconsideration BUT that stage took 11 months! The SSDI process is H*LL....and IF you are denied...do not give up...if you have a reconsideration step in your state....apply for it....and get a lawyer....learn about the DSM....take your conditions and look at what you have to meet in the DSM to be approved for SSDI....AND your age and education and experience all matter too..

If you go to Reconsideration..you will notice on your SSA account it will say something different again....information not available or something like that...and then that will change again in the future when a decision is made.
Hope that helps

If this means I've already been denied they better let me know for sure soon or my 90 days to appeal is up.

I haven't officially been told anything. A final decision hasn't even officially been made yet.

[Misssy2]

Well Raspberry...beyondtherainbow was 11 weeks! So that is really good news...still hope...sorry you are still waiting to hear....it sucks...it really does.

[leejosepho]

Originally Posted by raspberrytorte

If this means I've already been denied they better let me know for sure soon or my 90 days to appeal is up.

I haven't officially been told anything. A final decision hasn't even officially been made yet.

I cannot imagine a decision being made without your having been clearly notified, but you might try visiting the nearest SSA office to ask if you cannot get a clear status report from 1-800-772-1213.